Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) staged a protest march on Monday, demanding the cancellation of a reported decision to withdraw the power of the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA) to recommend teachers for appointment and hand the authority back to school and college managing committees.
The protest march began around 8pm from in front of the Dhaka University Central Library. The protesters marched through the residential hall area before holding a brief rally in front of the DUCSU building.
Addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, DUCSU Vice President Shadik Kayem said, “You came to power through an election. We want you to govern the country properly for five years. But whether you yourself want that or not, we cannot understand from your actions.”
“We do not know whether you made this decision yourself or took advice from those around you affiliated with Chhatra Dal. But whatever the case, this decision is going to be self-destructive for you,” he said.
He called on the prime minister to withdraw the decision and offer an unconditional apology to the country’s students.
“Otherwise, this decision itself could lead you toward the same fate that forced Sheikh Hasina to flee to Delhi. Because of this decision, you may also be forced to flee somewhere else,” Shadik said.
He urged the government to reconsider the decision and ensure that the merit of millions of young people seeking jobs is properly evaluated.
DUCSU Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah said, “We are witnessing one wrong step after another by the BNP government. We are also seeing attempts being made in various ways to destabilize Bangladesh.”
He alleged that the government had taken a new step to destabilize the country’s education system.
“Just as they have appointed party-affiliated individuals as administrators in city corporations and districts, and opened the way for looting by appointing their party men to the top positions of 12 state-owned and autonomous institutions, they are now seeking to create opportunities for their party-affiliated people in educational institutions in rural areas by scrapping the NTRCA system and introducing teacher recruitment through managing committees,” he said.
“We strongly condemn and protest against this move. Through this decision, there is an attempt to create opportunities in private educational institutions for those who have influential relatives or political connections,” Asif added.
Warning the government, he said, “We want to give the government some time. There is still time. Realize your mistakes and return to the right path while there is still time. Otherwise, the students of Bangladesh will give you an appropriate response.”